Doing better :)

Sounds like Joe is doing great. He still isn't eating well, but is now down to pain meds at night rather than all day. He goes to the doctor office today to have his drain sutures removed, and meets with another doctor tomorrow to discuss chemotherapy options. Lets pray that the doctor's suggest whats best for him, and that he makes a full recovery.

Progress Update

I stopped by Joey & Michelle's yesterday to check on Joe and he seems to be doing great. He doesnt quite have his strength back, but was smiling and cooing here and there. Until he is all healed up and gets over his cold, he wont be able to begin chemo, and the poor guy needs a break anyway.

We love you little Joe!
-Auntie Joli

Again, if you want more information... posts from Michelle, etc... you can visit another blog for Joe at: http://www.diregolofamily.blogspot.com/

Home from the Hospital!

Little Joe was discharged from the hospital today and was on his way home when I spoke to Joey this afternoon. The test results also came back today... Joe had a Medulloblastoma, which is a cancerous tumor, and requires chemotherapy and radiation treatment. His chances of survival are much higher now that all of the tumor was removed, but he'll still need all of our prayers to get through his future treatments. Also, if you want to contribute in some way, Joey would appreciate any research on this type of tumor, and information on treatments that do not require chemotherapy if possible.

Joey has expressed to me that he is appreciative of those who have been so supportive of his little boy thus far, for the prayers, phone calls, fasting, and visitors. Thank you.

Progress & Awaiting Results

Joey says that little Joe is doing great! He smiled today, and is off of his IVs as of last night, and is eating normally. He is likely to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow, and the biopsy results of the tumor should also be in tomorrow. If it turns out that the tumor is cancerous, he'll have to begin chemotherapy soon. Thanks for your prayers!

Day after

I spoke to Joey yesterday and he said that Joe is doing well still, that he had woken up at one point and was a little uncomfortable, but that they gave him some pain medication and all was well. He's been pretty sedated for the most part.

Thanks SallyAnn for sending the picture above... hopefully we'll be seeing Joe's great smile again soon!

Also, Michelle's sister Rachael is also posting a blog for Joe. You can see it at: http://www.diregolofamily.blogspot.com/

More post-surgery updates

Little Joe was in surgery for a little over 5 hours, the doctor said that the tumor looked like a purple marshmallow, and that there were no signs that it had spread to his spinal column. However, the surgeon believes that the tumor is most likely cancerous, but the lab results wont be in until Monday. Although Joe had a fever, he is doing well, and after getting ice packs to cool his fever, he moved his arms and feet to show is agitation, which shows that there is no sign of paralysis. The next 24 hours are critical, but we are all optimistic that he will recover well.

Post-surgery update

I just received a phone call from Joey saying that Little Joe's surgery went well, and they will be reunited with him in the next half-hour.

Hurray!!!

Though he still has a long recovery ahead, it is a blessing to know that his surgery was successful.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support.
Love,
Joli

Surgery rescheduled for July 11

Due to an emergency procedure the doctor performing Joey's surgery had to push it out one day. Little Joey will be in surgery from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. We will update information as we get it.

Diagnosis

Little Joey had a scheduled MRI that showed a golf-ball sized tumor at the base of his brain. He was scheduled for surgery on July 10 to have it removed. He will need chemo and radiation treatments in addition to the surgery.